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Can't Delete - Access Denied

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27 replies

by sschwartz

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I have tried everything to delete a folder. I keep getting access denied. I tried adding permiisions. I tried taking ownership. I tried using CACLS. I tried fileacl. I keep getting access denied. fileacl gives me an error code 5.

Anyone have any ideas?

27 replies

by bfilmfan

Is this system in a domain?

Are you logged locally on the system with the share with an administrative-privelege account?

What errors are showing up in the event log of the server hosting the share?

by sschwartz

It is a member server in a 2003 domain. Tried logging in as domain admin and local admin.

The event log shows nothing.

by jdmercha

I had a similar problem, that turned out to be related to a virus. I had to boot to a Bart PE CD in order to clean the virus and remove the folder.

by creative8008

Hi ..

try to check if this folder is used by a current running program or system process/ service
also be sure to log in as domain administrator if it didn't work run the pc undersafe mode with networking and try to access the folder through the main server the try to delete

hope this will help

Regards

by creative8008

IF this folder is placed into a normal workstation/computer take the HDD out put it as a slave to another computer access it and then delete ..

hope this works.

regards.

by ahunter6

sometime the in use flag doesnt clear.
try rebooting, not logging anyone on at all, and coming across the network and deleting it. Ive hit this several times, and if its just a basic data file and not OS related, it ought to work.

by dawgit

I've also had that problem with files or programs that just won't go away. Here's a tip that really does work (& it's free) try a program called 'Unlocker' @: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ it should be in everyone tool box (my opinion) Your file has got an extension to something some where, Try a look at the hex dump, an easy program to do that is 'FileAlyzer' a little program availible from the folks at Spybot-S&D (it's also free for personal & Ed. use) and... good luck

by dawgit

Is the file located on the server? or the Desktop? or both? That could make a little bit of a difference.

by dawgit

When I think about it, that could explain the situation. 'RAID', as in 'redundant', which is a good thing. In that, a particular file is located & running on both disks. Then, a simple 'remove file' won't work. I believe that maybe we've been looking at this as a desk top enviroment. There is a way, (trick) that's so simple, that I just can't get it out of the gray stuff at the moment. Maybe some of the not so senial people will know. (Quicker) Just as soon as it pops up I'll post it.

by m_a_r_k

I assume you are trying to delete from Windows Explorer. I've come across situations in the past where Windows Explorer would not delete a file or directory but another file management app (like PowerDesk from VCom) could delete it (or vice versa).

Suggestions: 1) Make sure the directory contains no files or other directories. 2) Try to delete from the command line. 3) Write a simple program or script to try to delete it.

by x-marcap

boot knoppix, open the drive delete the files with a rm -rf /xxxxx/xxxxx/filename and the whole folder that is really a directory will be gone...

su -

cd /

shutdown

You will have had fun in Linux and eliminated a problem at the same time...

Tim

by jdclyde

because windoze isn't smart enough to recognise spaces and the difference between upper and lower case, you may need to use quotes.

C:\Documents and Settings\user\ would all need to be in quotes and upper and lower case DO matter!

"C:\Documents and Settings\user\" is an example for the directory structure.

by x-marcap

Yes I have been bitten by that one at the command line for windows 95...

I almost forgot that because I live in the Unix world... I would have nailed it with rm -rf from a knoppix CD...

I am lazy... I write this to you in my bathrobe...
At 9:30 A.M.
Tim

by jdclyde

:D

I have to think about it regularly because I have a mixed envirnment.

I have a few people backing up their data to a linux server that is running Samba. While it ALLOWS you to copy on the "spaces in names" crap, doesn't mean that [b]I [/b]will allow it on my server.

As your advice was going to a windows guy, I figured he would NOT know this, even if it is second nature to you.

Besides, I personally think capitalizing the first letter of each word with no spaces works much better. Still legible, yet takes less space on the screen.

by w2ktechman

it is because the program or a file in the directory is in use. Go to task mgr, and end any programs that are not needed, see if it continues. If so, then try rebooting into safe mode.
Recently my recycle bin had this problem, where I couldnt delete files in it, but there were no files there (showing), I hacked the reg. blew away the recycle bin completely, rebooted and re-added it. problem solved

by techiemikee

I've used a couple of techniques for similar issues. I previously saw mentioned in the thread a program that that deletes a file at reboot, HiJackThis.exe offers that feature as well. http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

If it's not from an erroneous file lock and there actually is a program using this file, you may to check out which System process is using it, be nice to know before you permanently delete it. There is a Processor Explorer program at http://www.sysinternals.com/utilities/processexplorer.html
that is free to download, and will give you quite a bit more information than the task manager built in to windows will. It is also good at tracking down viruses and adware that slip past Scanners, or finding keyloggers you manager installed, you have to know what you're looking at but it will provide you great detail of what files are currently associated with what processes, and what process have child processes, etc.

by jdclyde

and then reboot.

Whatever is using it will keep using it until the reboot, but when it tries to run at the reboot it won't be able to find it.

of course, some files it won't even let you do that for, but many times this works just fine.

by sleepin'dawg

Has anyone thought of right clicking and checking the attributes on this??? It's such a minor thing that we often overlook it. Maybe all that is required is a change of attributes. Another thing that could be tried is to check it out by doing a search for it at the DOS or command prompt. Trying that in safe mode wouldn't be a bad idea, either. As I said, this is probably a dumb idea and since I'm half in the bag and almost ready for bed, should be considered accordingly.

Good luck with it.

[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)

by dawgit

I have to agree with sleepydog on that, it's something, probably simple, that we're over looking. I think the key is the RAID set up on your server drives. There is a script, or is it a batch cmd, that sets up the files to be removed at shut down. There is an easier way, but I'll be darned if I can remember it now. Anybody else????

by tknepper17268

If you first delete all the content inside the folder first then try to delete the folder if not then try right clicking on the folder and going to properties and make sure it is not clicked just read only if it is uncheck this box and hit apply

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